Is a Honda Civic Considered a Sports Car for Insurance Purposes?

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular and well-known compact cars on the market. With sporty trim options like the Civic Si and Civic Type R, you may wonder if insurance companies classify the Civic as a sports car. The answer depends on factors like the specific trim, engine size, and insurance provider.

When shopping for Civic insurance, you’ll want to understand how insurers categorize your car and what that means for premiums. Read on to learn more about how insurance companies view the Civic, steps for getting insurance quotes, and tips for saving on your policy.

How Insurers Classify Vehicles

Insurers group vehicles into different categories or “classes” when determining insurance rates. Some standard classifications include:

• Economy cars
• Family sedans
• Luxury vehicles
• Sports cars
• Trucks and SUVs

Classifying each vehicle helps insurance companies assess the relative risk of insuring different types of cars. Premiums are based on predicted claims costs within each class.

For the Civic, most standard trims with 4-cylinder engines fall into the economy or family sedan categories. These mainstream versions tend to have lower rates.

The performance-focused Civic Si and Type R trims may get designated as sports cars by some insurers, potentially increasing costs.

Factors That Determine a Car’s Classification

Insurance companies consider various factors when deciding a vehicle’s rating class. For the Civic, key determinants can include:

• Body style – Coupes tend to have higher rates than sedans or hatchbacks.

• Engine size – More powerful engines equate to higher risk and rates.

• Performance capabilities – Factors like horsepower and top speed get factored in.

• Trim package – Add-ons like spoilers or performance upgrades may increase costs.

• Intended use – Cars marketed for performance or racing purposes often cost more.

• Safety ratings – Good crash test results can help lower premiums.

• Repair costs – More expensive vehicles to fix means higher claims payouts.

• Theft rates – Frequently stolen cars have increased comprehensive premiums.

Insurers look at the full vehicle profile when assigning a class, not just whether it meets textbook sports car definitions. The lines between categories can blur.

Is the Base Honda Civic a Sports Car for Insurance?

The standard Honda Civic LX with a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive is not considered a sports car by major insurance companies. Important points:

• Falls into the economy/family sedan categories for most insurers based on size, power specs, etc.

• Not marketed by Honda as a performance model. Lacks sports car design cues.

• Good predicted safety with top IIHS crash test results in its class.

• Repair costs in line with other compact, non-luxury sedans.

• No major theft issues relative to class.

Result: The base Civic gets mainstream sedan rates from leading national insurers like Geico, State Farm, and Progressive. Specific premiums vary based on individual factors.

What About the Civic EX and Touring Trims?

Like the base LX, the mid-tier EX and higher Touring trims are usually not designated as sports cars for insurance purposes. Key considerations:

• Very similar size, body, and standard 4-cylinder engine as LX.

• Mostly cosmetic and tech upgrades vs. performance improvements.

• Still aligned with economy sedan segment for features and pricing.

• Not marketed or purchased specifically for speed or performance.

• Retains good safety ratings and typical repair costs.

These well-equipped Civic variants may cost slightly more to insure than an LX due to higher vehicle value and MSRP. But major insurers do not put EX and Touring trims in a special sports car category.

And the Civic Si Trim Level?

The sport-tuned Civic Si presents a less clear-cut scenario. Its high-performance upgrades lead some insurers to classify it as a sports car. Considerations:

• Sportier exterior styling bits like spoiler and dual exhaust.

• More powerful turbocharged engine with +60HP over base.

• Manual transmission only for spirited driving feel.

• Adjustable adaptive dampers and limited-slip differential on some trims.

• Targets driving enthusiasts seeking affordable performance.

• Est. higher claims costs due to engine complexity, mods, and driver behavior.

Many insurers still categorize the Si as an economy car. But leading national companies including State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate may rate it as a sports car in some situations due to performance capabilities and appeal to sporty drivers.

And How About the Civic Type R?

The high-performance Civic Type R is more likely to be labeled a sports car across insurance providers. Contributing factors:

• Aggressive sports car styling – large rear wing, racetrack tuned suspension, etc.

• Highest performing 4-cylinder engine among mainstream brands at 306HP.

• Manual transmission only.

• Hyped by Honda as a street-legal racing car.

• Significant claims risk with inexperienced drivers pushing limits.

• Targeted at driving enthusiasts, not everyday economical transportation.

• Higher-than-average theft rates for a Civic.

With a high-strung turbo engine, track capabilities, and appeal to aggressive driving, the Type R fits the sports car mold for most insurance companies. Shoppers can expect higher premiums.

Getting Civic Insurance Quotes

The only way to know exactly how an insurer categorizes your Civic is to get quotes. Each company uses proprietary methods for classifying vehicles. Follow these steps:

• Get quotes from at least 3 companies – More data points give you better rate information.

• Compare same coverage amounts – Make sure you’re comparing equivalent policies.

• Talk to agents – Ask how they classify your exact Civic trim and why.

• Check online quotes – Websites may classify cars differently than agents.

• Re-check annually – Re-quoting with any life changes catches savings opportunities.

Having multiple quotes lets you see firsthand how insurers view your Civic. Comparing rates with identical coverage gives the clearest picture.

Tips for Savings on Civic Insurance

If your Civic gets rated as a sports car, you may pay higher premiums than other economy sedans. Try these tactics to offset the sports car insurance rate bump:

• Shop extensively – Compare a wide range of insurers to find the best sports car rate.

• Maintain a clean record – Avoid accidents, violations that drive up premiums.

• Ask about discounts – Take defensive driver courses, bundle policies to save.

• Raise deductibles – Higher deductibles lower collision/comprehensive rates.

• Limit mileage – Less annual mileage can equal lower premiums.

• Skip collision insurance – On older Civics collision may not be worth the cost.

While you can’t change how insurers classify your car, smart shopping and policy customization helps minimize the sports car insurance rate impact.

The Bottom Line

Mainstream Civic sedan and hatchback models with 4-cylinder engines fall into regular economy car insurance brackets. But performance versions like the Si and Type R may get classified as sports cars by some insurers, potentially raising premiums.

The only way to know exactly how your insurer categorizes your Civic is to get quotes directly from companies. Compare options from at least three providers when shopping for the best rates. Look for discounts and policy adjustments to help offset any sports car insurance premium bumps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Geico consider a Honda Civic a sports car?

Geico classifies the standard Civic sedan or hatchback as an economy car. The Civic Si may be designated as a sports car due to its high-performance engine and capabilities.

Is a Honda Civic Type R considered a sports car for insurance?

Yes, most major insurance companies classify the high-performance Type R as a sports car due to its powerful turbo engine, track tuning, aggressive driving dynamics, and appeal to racers.

What are sports cars for car insurance?

Sports cars have powerful engines, responsive performance, two seats, and styling or features geared toward aggressive driving. Insurers charge more due to higher claims risk.

Is a Honda Civic coupe considered a sports car?

Some insurers view coupes as marginally sportier than sedans and charge slightly higher premiums. But a standard Civic coupe is still categorized as an economy car by most providers.

Does State Farm consider the Civic Si a sports car?

State Farm may designate the Si trim as a sports car due to its high-performance turbocharged engine, manual transmission, and capabilities appealing to driving enthusiasts.